Just wanted to add my experience to this thread - I finally got through after 3 weeks of the "maximum callers" nightmare! What worked for me was a combination of several strategies mentioned here. I called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday (thanks for that tip!), used the 1-2-4 trick as soon as the message started, and on my 47th attempt that morning, I actually got into the queue. The wait was brutal - 3.5 hours on hold - but I finally talked to a real human! While I was waiting those 3 weeks, I also submitted the online contact form AND reached out to my assembly member's office (seriously, do this!). The assembly office actually called me back before I got through on the phone, and they were able to see what was holding up my claim. My advice: don't rely on just one method. Attack from multiple angles - phone calls, online forms, and definitely contact your assembly member. The system is absolutely broken, but persistence really does pay off. Hang in there everyone - if my stubborn self can get through, so can you! This community's support and shared strategies made all the difference. We've got this! 💪🏼

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Been trying to reach EDD for over a week now and that "maximum callers" message is driving me absolutely insane. It's like they don't want us to access our own benefits! After reading through all these incredible tips and success stories, I'm feeling more optimistic. I had no idea about the assembly member route or the 1-2-4 button trick - you all are lifesavers! I'm going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow morning and also submit that online contact form today. It's both infuriating and comforting to see how many of us are dealing with this broken system. The fact that we need a whole community strategy guide just to talk to someone about our unemployment benefits is absolutely ridiculous. But I'm so grateful for everyone sharing what actually works! Special thanks to those who came back to share their success stories - knowing that persistence really does pay off (even if it takes 47 attempts!) gives me the motivation to keep fighting this bureaucratic nightmare. We shouldn't have to be EDD ninjas just to get basic help, but at least we're not going through this alone! Here's to hoping we all break through soon. This community support means everything! 💪

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was in almost the exact same situation! Got laid off at 32 weeks pregnant and was panicking about benefits. The good news is YES, you can absolutely still qualify for both pregnancy disability and PFL even without current employment! Here's what I wish someone had told me: Apply for the pregnancy disability (DE2501) RIGHT NOW at 36 weeks - don't wait! Your doctor will need to fill out their portion confirming your due date and that you're disabled from work. Since you had good wages in April before your layoff, you should definitely be in the qualifying base period. The weekly benefit amount will be based on your highest earning quarter during the base period (probably that April!), so it should be decent. After your disability period ends (6-8 weeks post-birth), you'll apply separately for PFL baby bonding which gives you another 8 weeks. One thing that really helped me was keeping a dedicated notebook for all the claim numbers, dates, and paperwork - trust me, you'll have multiple claim numbers to track! Also, if you need to speak with EDD directly and can't get through on the phones (which is common), there are services that can help you connect faster. You've got this mama! The system is confusing but you DO have options even without current employment.

Hi there! I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement as someone who went through a very similar situation. I was laid off at 28 weeks pregnant last year and felt completely lost about benefits too. The great news is that everyone here is right - you CAN qualify for both pregnancy disability and PFL even without current employment! A few things that really helped me: - Apply for the DE2501 form ASAP since you're already 36 weeks. Don't second-guess yourself about qualifying - let EDD make that determination. - When I met with my OB, I brought a printed copy of the form so they could complete their section during the appointment rather than having to mail it back and forth. - Keep copies of EVERYTHING. I created a simple spreadsheet with claim numbers, submission dates, and status updates which saved me so much stress later. The hardest part for me was just getting started with the application because the whole system felt so overwhelming. But once I submitted that first form, it became much more manageable. Your April 2025 wages should definitely put you in a good position for benefits. You're asking the right questions at the right time - that shows you're going to handle this just fine! Wishing you all the best with your upcoming arrival! 💕

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm a first-time mom who just started my PFL bonding leave and was already stressing about tax forms for next year. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much clarity - I had no idea there were two separate EDD online systems or that the forms might not arrive in the mail reliably. I'm definitely saving this thread for reference! One thing I wanted to add for future parents reading this: when you're initially applying for SDI/PFL, it might be worth considering requesting federal tax withholding if you're concerned about owing taxes later. I didn't even know that was an option when I applied, but after reading about people being surprised by tax obligations, I wish I had looked into it. Has anyone here used the tax withholding option and found it helpful, or do most people just handle it when filing their annual returns?

This thread is amazing - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm currently 6 months pregnant and planning to take both SDI for recovery and PFL for bonding, so this is incredibly valuable information. I had no idea about the two different online systems (Benefits Programs Online vs UI Online) or that the tax forms might not be reliably mailed out. Quick question for those who've been through this - when you say "Benefits Programs Online," is that a completely separate login from the regular EDD account, or is it just a different section within the same system? I want to make sure I'm set up with the right accounts before I need to access my tax forms next year. Also, has anyone had success with the federal tax withholding option that was mentioned? I'm trying to decide if I should request that when I apply to avoid any surprises at tax time. Thanks again for all the helpful info - bookmarking this thread for sure!

I'm 29 weeks pregnant and this thread has been a lifesaver! I had no idea about the unpaid waiting week or that payments are retroactive rather than advance payments. I was budgeting completely wrong and would have been caught off guard financially. One question I haven't seen addressed - has anyone had experience with twins or multiples? I'm expecting twins and wondering if that affects the disability period length or if there are any special considerations for the SDI claim process. My doctor mentioned I might need a longer recovery time, but I'm not sure how that translates to the EDD paperwork. Also, for those who mentioned keeping detailed documentation - should I be saving anything specific related to a high-risk pregnancy? I've been having extra monitoring appointments and wondering if those records might be relevant for extending the disability period if needed. Thank you all so much for sharing your real experiences! This is exactly the kind of practical information that's impossible to find on official websites. I'm definitely going to set up my EDD account and direct deposit this week, and start that tracking calendar everyone recommends.

This thread has been absolutely incredible! I'm 31 weeks pregnant with my first and was completely lost about the SDI process until I found this discussion. The breakdown of the actual timeline - waiting week, then retroactive payments every 2 weeks starting about 3 weeks after leave begins - is information I could never find clearly explained anywhere else. I'm particularly grateful for the tips about setting up direct deposit early and creating a tracking calendar. I just set up my EDD online account today and got my banking info added. It feels so good to have that done ahead of time! One small thing to add for other first-time parents reading this: I called my bank today to let them know to expect EDD deposits starting in a couple months. My bank rep mentioned they sometimes put holds on unusual deposits from government agencies if they're not expecting them, so giving them a heads up can prevent any delays in accessing your payments. Also, after reading about everyone's experiences with employer coordination, I scheduled a meeting with HR next week to go over our company's policies and create that shared timeline document someone mentioned. Being proactive now feels so much better than scrambling later! Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed, honest experiences. This community support is exactly what expectant parents need to navigate this confusing system successfully!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share my recent experience since it might help others in similar situations! My partner just completed a successful split of their PFL baby bonding leave - 4 weeks initially, then 4 weeks when our baby was about 5 months old. The key things that made our process smooth: 1. **Early communication is everything** - We notified both HR and EDD about our intentions during the first week of the initial leave, which gave everyone plenty of time to prepare. 2. **Document everything** - I created a simple spreadsheet tracking all our calls, reference numbers, and important dates. This saved us multiple times when different representatives asked for information. 3. **The "notes in your file" tip really works** - When I called EDD to close the first claim, I specifically asked them to add notes explaining this was a planned split for baby bonding with the same child. The second claim processor mentioned seeing these notes and it definitely helped speed things along. 4. **Company policy matters more than you think** - Our HR initially said they "didn't allow" split leave, but when I showed them the EDD guidelines, they realized their policy just hadn't been updated. Don't assume your company knows all the options! The whole process took about 3 weeks from filing the second claim to receiving the first payment, so definitely plan accordingly. Happy to answer any specific questions for others considering this path!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to express my gratitude for this incredibly comprehensive discussion! My partner and I are currently in week 3 of their 8-week PFL baby bonding leave, and we've been considering a split arrangement due to some upcoming family circumstances. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so enlightening - the level of practical detail shared here is exactly what we needed. I'm particularly grateful for the specific tips about asking EDD to add explanatory notes when closing the first claim, the importance of getting written confirmation from employers, and the recommendation to start the second application 2-3 weeks early. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen addressed - has anyone had experience with this process when the baby was born prematurely and spent time in the NICU? We're wondering if the 12-month timeline starts from the actual birth date or from when the baby comes home from the hospital, since the bonding aspect was obviously delayed in our case. Also, for those who mentioned keeping detailed documentation, did you find it helpful to create a timeline showing the relationship between your partner's leave periods and your own maternity leave? We're trying to optimize our coverage and I'm wondering if EDD or employers need to see how the leaves coordinate. Thank you to everyone who has shared their real-world experiences - this thread has been an absolute lifesaver for understanding the practical aspects of splitting PFL baby bonding leave!